WAFU B U17: Kassim Mingle asks for more as Black Starlets face Benin today

October 13, 2026

1 minute read

Ghana’s U-17 team, the Black Starlets would face the Junior Squirrels of Benin in their second group game of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship ongoing in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The Black Starlets occupy the top spot in the group after their opening day 1-0 victory over Togo.

The only goal of the game was scored by David Kwarteng on the seventh minute.

The Beninois also held Burkina Faso to share the spoils.

Although the Ghanaians looked quite impressive, there were a number of areas they must aim at improving in a bid to secure a win today to guarantee progress to the next stage of the competition.

This was confirmed by the team’s Head Coach, Kassim Ocansey who shared with the Ghanafa.org his mixed feelings about the game despite winning 1-0.

Despite the victory, Ocansey believes his players could have been more clinical in front of goal after creating several scoring opportunities.

“We won, but I expected more from my boys,” Ocansey said after the match, admitting that Ghana could have done better with the chances they created.

“We created good chances, but we couldn’t convert. I am happy we have the three points, but we could have done better with the chances we created,” he added.

The Ghana coach expressed confidence in his team’s attacking potential, insisting that improved finishing could help the Black Starlets score more goals in their subsequent matches.

“If we are able to convert the chances we create, we can get three or four goals in every game. We’ll work on that for our next game,” Ocansey stated.

But, today, Benin will come with a better and different plan, having also gotten the chance to watch the Black Starlets in action.

And with just a point to boast of, they would naturally show character and a strong desire to bag their first win and to improve their chances of qualification.

That leaves the Black Starlets on a tightrope, having to navigate their way to a second victory to land a place in the semifinal stage.

BY ANDREW NORTEY

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